OXALIC ACID

Oxalic acid
Physical characteristics: white crystals

Chemical formula: H2C2O4

Molecular weight: 90.03 g / mol (anhydrous)

Container type, Plastic Bag

 The most famous vegetable acid. It has all the chemical properties of carboxylic acids. In nature, it is found in plants in free form. Easily soluble in water and polar organic solvents.

Areas of use:

- Used as dyes for textiles.

-Used in the food industry.

- Used in medicines, water and chemical detergents in industry.

-Applied in standard computing laboratories.

Oxalic acid (ethavdiic acid ) is a dibasic saturated carboxylic acid, which is a chemical substance in the form of colorless crystals, soluble in water, incompletely in diethyl and ethyl alcohol, insoluble in benzene, chloroform, petroleum ether. Esters and salts of this acid are called oxalates. This chemical is a strong organic acid with a melting point of -189.5 ° C. In nature, this chemical compound in free form, as well as in the form of oxalates (esters and salts of oxalic acid) of potassium and calcium is found in many plants: rhubarb, beans, spinach, nuts, soy. This acid is formed during oxalic fermentation. For the first time, this type of acid was obtained during the synthesis of cyanogen by chemist Friedrich Wöhler (Germany, 1824).

Oxalic acid application

Like any acid, oxalic, due to its unique properties, is used in the following industries:
- chemical (in the manufacture of plastics, dyes, ink, pyrotechnics);
- metallurgical (for cleaning metals from corrosion, oxides, scale, rust);
- textile and leather (as mordant, when dyeing silk and wool);
- beekeeping (for processing bees);
- household chemicals (included in many detergents Oxalic acidand powders as a bleaching and disinfectant);
- analytical chemistry (precipitant of rare earth elements);
- microscopy (slices bleach);
- cosmetology (whitening component for freckles);
- medicine and pharmacology;
- woodworking.

The importance of oxalic acid for the body

This chemical compound in the human body is an intermediate product that is excreted in the urine as calcium salts. In violation of mineral metabolism, the salts of this acid take part in the formation of stones in the bladder and kidneys. This organic acid found in raw vegetables is very beneficial for our body. It easily combines with calcium and promotes its absorption. The oxalic acid in boiled vegetables is detrimental to health as it becomes inorganic. This leads to the binding of calcium, and as a result - to a lack of it in the bone tissue, which is the cause of its damage. The daily excretion of oxalic acid along with urine in an adult is 20 mg, in children up to 1.29 mg / kg.

Precautionary measures

Oxalic acidOxalic acid belongs to flammable, highly toxic and toxic chemical reagents, therefore, only those laboratory employees who have passed special instructions on observing safety measures are allowed to work with it:
- carry out work in special laboratory glassware. If the laboratory glassware is made of another material, the acid can react with it;
- in order to avoid getting oxalic acid on the skin, respiratory tract, mucous membranes, all studies should be carried out: in rubber products (boots, rubberized aprons, examination gloves, nitrile gloves), protective equipment (gas mask or respirator, goggles), overalls;
- while using oxalic acid, it is prohibited to eat, drink, smoke;
- after completion of work, it is necessary to thoroughly wash your face and hands with warm water and soap or a neutralizing agent (baking soda solution);
- transportation and storage of oxalic acid together with food is prohibited;
- observe fire safety measures if there is a need to use heating devices.

You need to know that oxalic acid belongs to strong organic acids, its use in large quantities can cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, intestines, stomach, skin and respiratory tract. If this chemical reagent enters the body, a burning sensation, bloody vomiting may appear. First aid in such situations is to rinse the affected skin area with plenty of water. Store the acid in a sealed plastic bag in a well-ventilated area on pallets.

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